Born in 1911 at home on Chamberlain Ave. in Portland Maine. He joined the Maine Citizens Military Training Camp at Ft. McKinley in 1928 at the age of 17. He retired as the oldest enlisted man in the US Navy in 1972 after 44 years of faithful service to his beloved America. Commended for devotion to duty while under fire and bombing during the evacuation of Singapore in 1942. He served in both the Europe, Pacific theaters and continued during the Korean and Vietnam wars. He was Chief Master At Arms for president Kennedy's visit to China Lake Naval Ordnance Test Station in California in June of 1963. Chief Smith served on the Senior Staff of the USS Chicago CG-11, Flag Ship for the USS Kitty Hawk Aircraft Carrier. My father passed away at home in January 1974 and under the direction of the 11th Naval District, Smitty' as his fellow shipmates called him, was buried at sea with full honors from the USS Hepburn DE-1055 in January of 1974. Accompanying this event with, 'All hands on deck, was the crew of his last sea duty, the USS Chicago and the USS Kitty Hawk on their voyage and WestPac tour to Asia. Having navigated the 7 oceans of the world and devoting his entire life to serve freedom wherever he was needed, A good and kind man, I am so very proud to say he was my father. Any person who ever shook his hand never forgot him and in doing so, knew they were in the presence of a friend. Although many years have slipped by since his passing..I can feel the goodness of his spirit as strong as ever. I am pleased to honor his memory at this time, for as America moves on, we should cherish and bring forward the good of the past and leave the rest in the backwash of history Chief Smith's ancestors are interred at Evergreen Cemetery in Portland Maine and there is a monument there in remembrance to his life and service. Donald Masterman Smith was and is a true Maine American Hero.